The non-avian reptiles of Australia are a diverse group of animals, widely distributed across the continent. Three of the four reptile orders are represented: Testudines, Squamata and Crocodilia. The only missing extant order is Sphenodontia, containing the tuataras, which are endemic to New Zealand. Australia has over 860 species, a large number in comparison to other continents; for example, North America's total is about 280. The most species-rich group is Squamata, the snakes and lizards. They are especially diverse in the arid areas of Australia, where other fauna are scarcer. Spinifex grass is a major habitat which allows them to remain in a relatively cool, moist area.
Australia has a large array of reptiles which can be dangerous to humans. The world's largest reptile, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), is native to the continent's north coastal area.
Australian reptile families
| Testudines – 4 families | |||
| Family | Common names | Example species | Example photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheloniidae | Sea turtles | Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) | 
|
| Dermochelyidae | Leatherback sea turtle | Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) | 
|
| Chelidae | Austro-American side-necked turtles | Common snakeneck turtle (Chelodina longicollis) | 
|
| Carettochelyidae | Pig-nosed turtle | Pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) | 
|
| Squamata – 12 families | |||
| Family | Common names | Example species | Example photo |
| Gekkonidae | Geckos | Thick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) | 
|
| Pygopodidae | Legless lizards | Burton's legless-lizard (Lialis burtonis) | 
|
| Agamidae | dragon lizards | Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) | 
|
| Varanidae | Monitors or goannas | Lace monitor (Varanus varius) | 
|
| Scincidae | Skinks | Western blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua occipitalis) | 
|
| Typhlopidae | Blind snakes | Proximus blind snake (Ramphotyphlops proximus) | - |
| Pythonidae | Pythons | Green tree python (Morelia viridis) | 
|
| Colubridae | Colubrid snakes | Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) | 
|
| Elapidae | - | Common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) | 
|
| Hydrophiidae | Sea snakes | - | - |
| Laticaudidae | Sea kraits | - | - |
| Acrochordidae | File snakes | Arafura file snake (Acrochordus arafurae) | _in_captivity.jpg)
|
| Crocodilia – 1 family | |||
| Family | Common names | Example species | Example photo |
| Crocodylidae | Crocodiles | Freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) | 
|
See also
- List of reptiles of Tasmania
- List of reptiles of Western Australia
- List of Australian and Antarctic dinosaurs
References
- Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2005). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. Reed New Holland.
- Harold G. Cogger. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Sydney, AH & AW Reed. Revised edition, 1983. ISBN 0-589-50356-1
- Harold G. Cogger. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Revised edition 2014. ISBN 9780643100350
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